|
The Village of Hinckley has a
rich and proud history. Dating back to the 1830s,
prior to becoming settled, Mr. Hollenbeck (who lived
near Ottawa) was journeying through his territory.
He found a fine grove of trees west of present
Hinckley, and named the grove after the squaws who
were tending camp. Back in Ottawa, word spread of
the undeveloped land, and in the spring of 1835 John
Seebree built a log house. Next year saw more
families come to the area and soon a small town was
started at the west edge of present Hinckley. The
town's name was Squaw Grove.
Hinckley was conceived in the
1870s as the brainchild of Francis Hinckley,
President of the Chicago and Iowa Railroad. The rail
line was placed one-half mile east of the Village of
Squaw Grove and then was named Hinckley.
From this early birth, much
change and innovation would come to Hinckley. Some
key dates follow, the Methodist Church was built in
1853, the very first store 1872. The first
schoolhouse was built in 1872, Hinckley has 20
businesses as of 1876, the St. Paul's Church built
in 1885, volunteer fire brigade organizing of 1886
and unfortunately a tornado destroyed most of the
Village in 1889. H. D. Wagner donated land for the
Hinckley Memorial community building.
As the Village moves forward, it
may have a new look, but the spirit of good
citizenship and village pride has not change.
Hinckley has had a proud past, in addition to a
promising future.
For more information about the
Village of Hinckley please visit:
www.hinckleyil.com |
